1956 Austin Healey Le Mans Style

Have you ever heard an exhaust note that you know could only belong to a a proper vintage sports car? And by “proper” I am referring to one of European decent. Such was the case with this sweet 1956 Austin Healey 100M replica. To start, the exhaust is much like that of a classic Alfa GTV, articulated as well as loud enough to contribute to the prime motoring experience of a British roadster.  The next thing I noticed when I looked up as it was driving by was the windshield- low and sleek. It was made for speed, laid back in true aerodynamic style.  This trend of lowered windshields and slippery cars spanned many decades and included everything from chopped ’32 roadsters to Mercury Lead-sleds. In 1956, Healey did very well in Le Mans, and they decided to make factory examples of the racecars that year. Upgraded engines, lowered windshields, and leather hood straps were just a few of the factory specialty parts in the package. The 100M is arguably Healey’s best looking car. I would have to agree, the louvered hood is a nice touch as well. The body lines are simple, but aerodynamic in the functionally basic meaning of the word. This car was put together back in the day when lightweight roadster bodies, peppy engines, and short wheel bases were the accepted equation for track-speed. In many ways they were correct in their design for the application, and many others followed their lead in the speed oriented design such as Carroll Shelby and his Cobra, and anyone who put a V8 in a deuce coupe.